India’s total wireless subscriber base has declined from 876.72 million in August to 870.58 million at the end of September this year, according to data released by TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India). Interestingly, total mobile user base in urban areas has decreased from 60.57% to 60.36% whereas share of rural subscribers has increased from 39.43% to 39.64% in the month of September. This trend has been witnessed in last few months too.
Subscription in the urban areas declined from 548.90 million in August, 2013 to 543.18 million at the end of September, 2013. Subscription in rural areas declined from 357.27 million to 356.68 million during the same period.
As far as operators goes, RCom had lost maximum user in the month of August. According to a spokesperson of the operator, RCom has deactivated 10 million unprofitable, low-end subscribers. With the reduction of 10.49 million subscribers, RCom is now at the 4th position with 116 million customers.
Idea Cellular is now at the third position with 14.61 percent market share while Airtel and Vodafone continues to hold the top two positions with 22.21 percent and 17.87 percent market share respectively.